Kevin De Bruyne speaks to former Manchester City team-mate Gabriel Jesus (Picture: Getty)

Kevin De Bruyne described Declan Rice, Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber as ‘big signings’ for Arsenal after Manchester City’s Community Shield final defeat.

Arsenal beat Man City on penalties to win the traditional Premier League season curtain-raiser at Wembley.

Rice, Havertz and Timber all started for the Gunners following summer moves from West Ham, Chelsea and Ajax.

Arsenal spent more than £200m to sign the trio as they look to build on an encouraging season in which Mikel Arteta’s side almost won the Premier League, eventually finishing second, five points behind Man City.

Asked about the new additions at the Emirates Stadium, Manchester City midfielder De Bruyne said: ‘I think they are good players. They looked at what they needed and they have bought them.

‘I think they started all three, so that means they are big signings for them.

‘Everybody is looking at their own team and every team has so much money, so everybody is always spending in this league and we know that.

Declan Rice joined Arsenal from West Ham earlier in the summer (Picture: Getty)

‘It gets tougher every year. One way or another, we try to maintain where we are.’

Premier League champions Manchester City looked on course to win the Community Shield final after Cole Palmer beat Aaron Ramsdale with a stunning second-half finish.

But the Gunners rallied and scored an injury-time equaliser through Leandro Trossard before winning the penalty shootout thanks to misses from De Bruyne and Rodri.

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‘It’s a statement,’ Arsenal goalkeeper Ramsdale told ITV. ‘It’s a marker to know we can go and beat Manchester City in a big game when it matters.

‘I’m not sure what it’ll be like this season. But that mental block is gone. We’re ready to push on now.’

Gunners boss Mikel Arteta added: ‘We showed again that we can compete against an incredible team. There will be so many problems and challenges ahead but we did very well.’

MORE : Haaland’s father mocks Arsenal after Community Shield win over Man City

MORE : Mikel Arteta hails ‘superb’ Kai Havertz as Arsenal beat Manchester City

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‘The Premier League gets tougher every year.’